RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated May 8, 2019 from the Director of Protective Services titled “Public Safety Report for March-April 2019” be received for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER COMMENTS

I concur with the recommendation

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To update the Committee on the operations of the Fire Department.

DISCUSSION:

Fire Prevention Inspection & Public Education:

• regular fire inspections are being conducted as per our frequency of inspection guideline. Twenty-five inspections have been completed during this period with a compliance rating of 95.71%;
• the Department is currently reviewing plans and attending meetings with municipal staff and developers for two projects;
• the Department delivered the following Public Education sessions:
  • three public safety building tour presentations to fifty-four children and sixteen adults
  • one fire extinguisher training session for Town Hall employees.

During this period four fire investigations were conducted as follows:

• March 16 - Chief Robert Sam Lane Crews responded to the report of a structure fire on Chief Robert Sam Lane. Upon arrival crews found heavy smoke-stained windows and light smoke coming from the structure. Crews made entry, removed one victim from the structure and were able to extinguish a fire on the stove. The investigation determined the cause of this fire was from unattended cooking.
• April 22 – Middle Road Crews responded to a home on Middle Road with reports of heavy smoke coming from the structure. Upon arrival crews found two patients on the ground outside the structure. Crews made entry and were able to extinguish the fire. The investigation determined that the cause of this fire was from unattended cooking.
• April 25 – Trans-Canada Highway Crews responded to the south bound of Trans-Canada Highway for the report of a vehicle fire. Upon arrival crews found a vehicle on the side of the road with the engine compartment fully involved. Crews extinguished the fire and prevented it from entering the passenger compartment. The investigation determined that the cause of this fire was from an electrical short in the battery.
• April 27 – Trans-Canada Highway Crews responded to the south bound of Trans-Canada Highway for the report of a vehicle fire. Upon arrival crews found a vehicle on the side of the road with the engine compartment smoking and crews extinguished the fire. The investigation determined that the cause of this fire was from a break in the serpentine belt.

The Prevention Division continues to work on the transfer of properties into our FDM database as well preparing for future transition to mobile data terminals in the vehicles. The division is working on preparations for our Annual Open House which will be held on June 8, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Robert G. Marshall, Fire Prevention Officer

Training Division:

• six recruits remain from the 2019 intake (started with seven);
• six members completed in-house Red Cross First Responder Training;
• seven members completed emergency traffic control;
• six members completed defensive driving with Road Masters Safety Group;
• one member completed air brake endorsement for Class 5 license;
• four members attended forcible entry training;
• nine members were recertified First Responder Certifications;
• 1001 and Recruit Training continues Monday evenings;
• Saturday training is still being well attended;
• additional driver training is taking place as newer members will be attending driving school in May; and
• six members assisted with the first annual Sarah Beckett Memorial Run.

Heath Bevan, Training Officer

Emergency Management Division:

The following are activities and events for the Emergency Program this reporting period:

• EM Officer attended the following meetings:
  • REMP Con Ops workshop;
  • First Nation Emergency Services Society (FNESS) planning meeting with Esquimalt First Nation for rollout of their emergency plan;
  • ESS meeting X 1;
  • ESSD meetings X 1; and
  • Shoreline Middle School re: emergency container.
• ERMS Mass Notification System: The system is live however we still need to provide more training for Town staff and senior officers of the Fire Department to enable them to send alerts;
• EOC and ESS Grant final reports submitted and funds over $47,000 were transferred to Town of View Royal; and
• Tsunami Awareness Workshop (fourteen residents attended).

Emergency Management Training:

• EOC Operations: one staff; and
• ICS 100: one radio.

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS Team had four callouts this reporting period as follows:

View Royal:

• one displaced resident from Chief Robert Sam Lane due to structure fire; and
• one displaced resident from Middle Road for structure fire.

Colwood:

• four displaced residents from Wale Road due to structure fire; and
• six displaced residents from Windthrop Road due to structure fire.

Two monthly meetings were held and well attended. Additional activities are as follows:

• ESSD regional meeting;
• work parties; and
• two new volunteers recruited.

Emergency Management BC continues working on the “ESS Modernization Project”. Significant changes/improvements in service delivery for our ESS Team include e-documents and self-registration for evacuees.

Emergency Communications Team:

The Team had the following activity during this period:

• net controller, inter-municipal net;
• attendance at the CRECC meeting;
• weekly nets on View Royal frequencies;
• weekly check in with inter-municipal net;
• two team meetings held; and
• new UHF/VHF commercial antennas from monopole which is now connected with emergency radios providing much improved reception and coverage.

Troy Mollin, Emergency Management Officer Ruth Reynolds, Emergency Support Services Director Ed McCarthy, Emergency Radio Coordinator

Building Department:

March and April of this year continue with a steady workload for the Building Department. A report for Council regarding some more significant changes to the Building Code will be brought forward soon to provide information and updates.

The proposed new Building Bylaw based on the MIABC template is in the final review stages and can be expected soon. Changes in the bylaw will show ease of use and interpretation as well as provide better tools and templates for staff, builders, developers and residents.

Full occupancy of the 301 Nursery Hill development is nearing. Staff have worked hard with the developer to phase new residents into the buildings, maintaining a high degree of life safety as the landscape and final exterior touches are completed.

Improvements to office time, file management and customer service continue to be explored and many items are being implemented to help make View Royal a great place to do business.

2019 Activity

March Permit Summary

April Permit Summary

Gary Faykes, Building Inspector

Bylaw Division:

March:

Parks Bylaw Update Currently a synopsis has been prepared for Council and will be outlined by the Director of Protective Services.

April:

Thetis Lake Overflow Update With the recent changes to the signage at Thetis Lake overflow lot (80 Atkins Road) there has been an increase in enforcement at this location. The new signage indicates that overnight parking in the lot is now prohibited. This change has been met with some considerable resistance and calls for service from the surrounding neighbors mainly Nursery Hill residents. Bylaw is currently in the process of sending notices to the different strata councils to notify all the residents about this change as well as reduce the number of inquiries from clients. Enforcement continues in this area as part of the overall parking strategy.

2019 Activity

Mark Groulx, Bylaw Enforcement Officer

SUBMITTED BY: Paul Hurst, Fire Chief/Director of Protective Services

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer